IF YOU GET YOUR BOSS IN THE SECRET-SANTA GIFT EXCHANGE…
“She does not want your cabernet, chardonnay or pinot grigio. She can buy herself a much more expensive bottle,” says Toronto-based sommelier Krysta Oben and wine importer Nicole Campbell, a.k.a. the Grape Witches, who suggest small wineries that are new to Canada. Like an up-and-coming designer, they won’t be as pricey as the Chanels of the grape world but can be just as good. BEST BETS: Xinomavro, a Greek red grape that’s a bit more full-bodied than a Pinot Noir, or the Spanish red Mencía.
FOR YOUR PRETENTIOUS WINE FRIEND…
Try to stump your sommelier-wannabe pal by getting her a bottle from an under-the-radar region, like Austria, South Africa or Georgia, then act surprised when she hasn’t heard of it. If you’re nicer than us, anything from the Jura, a region between Burgundy and Switzerland, will earn her praises. And when in doubt, buy a decanter, says Scott Zebarth, a Toronto-based sommelier and wine writer. “They look impressive and are very useful for a wine lover.”
FOR THE HOSTESS WHOSE ALL-WHITE HOME BELONGS IN A DECOR MAG…
Unless you roll with an arsenal of Tide To Gos, skip the red wine and opt for bubbles. The Grape Witches love the French sparkling wine crémant. It’s made exactly the same way as champagne but not in the Champagne region, so it’s much more wallet-friendly.
IF YOU’RE MEETING THE PARENTS…
You don’t want to seem too splashy (save the Dom for date night) or too cheap (don’t bring your dad’s homemade wine—unless your dad is Francis Ford Coppola). “Think back to stories your significant other has mentioned. Maybe the in-laws recently visited Greece or have always wanted to go to Argentina,” says Zebarth. Bring a bottle from that region, then sit back and reap the brownie points.
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